Today is Veterans Day, and among the many New Yorkers who have served our nation so honorably, we point to two very special examples.

The first is Francis Currey, the state’s only surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Look for his photo at your local post office, because Currey is one of the 12 medal recipients whose portraits will be on the sheet surrounding the new WWII Medal of Honor stamps released today.

Francis Currey

On Dec. 21, 1944, the 19-year-old Army private fended off a German attack. With disregard for his own life, he took out a tank and an enemy-held house and then disabled another tank. In the process, he saved the lives of five fellow Americans.

Bravery under fire by New Yorkers didn’t stop in World War II. Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis showed that in Afghanistan in August, when the enemy exploded a car bomb at one of our bases. Instead of running away from the fray, Ollis ran toward it.

When an insurgent came toward a wounded Polish officer, Sgt. Ollis stepped between the two men, killed the insurgent, but was himself killed when the insurgent’s suicide vest exploded. For his actions, this hero of Staten Island has been recognized with a Silver Star. He will also receive the Gold Medal of the Polish Armed Forces from the Polish government.

The free air we breathe, the free country we live in and the free press that allows this paper to appear exist because of men and women who have defended our liberty. On this Veterans Day, we express our gratitude for the service of Currey and Ollis — and the 22.6 million just like them who have worn the uniform of our country.